Top six CONFIRMED! All set for historic Sydney Derby as week one Finals Series fixtures locked in

Western Sydney Wanderers and Sydney FC will face off in the finals for the very first time, after Wellington Phoenix’s 1-0 win over Macarthur FC confirmed the final layout of the Isuzu UTE A-League top six.

Wellington were the last top-six side yet to confirm their spot in the post-season prior to Round 26, but their road win over the Bulls secured a sixth-placed finish for Ufuk Talay’s side.

Sydney FC meantime defeated Newcastle Jets 2-0 in the concurrent Saturday fixture. It confirmed the Sky Blues would finish fifth, setting up a tantalising Sydney Derby on Saturday, May 6 at CommBank Stadium.

A-LEAGUE MEN FINALS SERIES FIXTURES: WEEK ONE

Adelaide United will host Wellington Phoenix at 7.45pm AEST on Friday 5 May at Coopers Stadium after the New Zealand side secured their finals place with a 1-0 win away against Macarthur FC.

Western Sydney Wanderers will then face Sydney FC at 7.45pm AEST on Saturday 6 May at CommBank Stadium after Sydney FC saw off Newcastle Jets 2-0 to set up a mouth-watering knockout Sydney Derby.

Tickets for the Elimination Finals will go on sale from 12.00pm (local time) on Monday May 1 for members and 4.00pm (local time) on Tuesday May 2 for the general public.

More details to follow from the APL and clubs on how you can secure your seat.

ADELAIDE UNITED v WELLINGTON PHOENIX
Elimination Final
Friday, May 5 2023
Coopers Stadium
Kick-off: 7.45pm AEST

WESTERN SYDNEY WANDERERS v SYDNEY FC
Elimination Final
Saturday, May 6 2023
CommBank Stadium
Kick-off: 7.45pm AEST

Wellington and Sydney’s spots in the six were confirmed the day after an epic conclusion to the top-four battle; Central Coast Mariners romped to a 4-1 over Adelaide United at Coopers Stadium on Friday night, to wrestle second spot off the Reds and shape the Isuzu UTE A-League top four prior to the Finals Series.

Adelaide began the night in second prior to taking on the third-placed Mariners, as Premiers Melbourne City hosted Western Sydney Wanderers (fourth). The simultaneous fixtures provided twists, turns, drama aplenty and bags of goals as Adelaide lost 4-1 and City came from behind to beat the Wanderers 3-2.

The pair of Friday-night results confirmed where and when each of next weekend’s Elimination Finals would take place. City and the Mariners are set for a week off; they’ll return to action in the Semi Finals.